SUCRALOSE

People with Diabetes can have sweets?

How to overcome craving?

What is the safest alternative to table sugar?

Well these are some interesting questions based on which countless amounts have been spent for research. The outcome – Many different types of alternatives were introduced. Some came with side effects and some came with a bitter after taste. As of now the most commonly used alternative is SUCRALOSE. Sucralose is 300 to 1000 times sweeter than our normal table sugar (sucrose). This sucralose was developed when scientists were actually trying to develop a sugar based insecticide. At that point the sweetness of sucralose was identified by chance. The scientist misheard the term “test” as “taste” and tasted it. He found the compound exceptionally sweet. Scientists Tate & Lyle patented it in 1976. Slowly the use of sucralose spread over countries and continents. Now sucralose is used in more than 80 countries all over the world. How our simple table sugar becomes sucralose? It goes through processing (Simple word to explain selective chlorination of sucrose, which substitutes three of the hydroxyl groups with chlorine. This chlorination is achieved by selective protection of the primary alcohol groups followed by acetylation and then deprotection of the primary alcohol groups.The partially acetylated sugar is then chlorinated with a chlorinating agent such as phosphorus oxychloride, followed by removal of the acetyl groups to give sucralose)

Sucralose safe?

Well.... anything in excess is definitely harmful. Even water in excess can kill you.

Sucralose is safe. Maximum dose is 9mg per Kg body weight per day.

Moral of the story –

You can have a sweet life with diabetes

But,

Measure before you eat!

Sweet life!

Dr.Riyaz Sheriff